Insurance Age Top 5 News Podcast: Recent Episodes
Insurance Age
Insurance Age has been serving the UK regional broker community for over 30 years. Through exclusive news stories, analysis interviews and features it delivers the market intelligence brokers need to improve their business in print and at www.insuranceage.co.uk
Insurance Age commissioning editor, Laurence Eastham, and news editor, Ida Axling, discuss the top stories of the week. The headlines this week were once again dominated by Covid-19, with brokers hitting back over business interruption following criticism of how the insurance industry has responded to the crisis.
Top five news stories for the week commencing 30 March 2020: 1) Covid-19: Industry "getting hammered" over business interruption, says Biba 2) Covid-19: Lloyd’s issues guidance to MGAs 3) Covid-19: Brokers demand flexibility from insurers 4) Covid-19: Insurers will need to "carefully consider" BI position, says Oliver Wyman 5) News analysis: Aon creates world’s biggest broker with Willis Towers Watson deal
Insurance Age editor, Sian Barton, and content director, Jonathan Swift, discuss the top stories this week and talk about their own experience of the coronavirus lockdown. Top five news stories for the week commencing 22 March 2020: 1) Covid-19: Are you a key worker? 2) Axa confirms position on coronavirus business interruption cover 3) Covid-19: Confusion over rent guarantee insurance 4) Danish regulator orders Gefion to stop writing business 5) Covid-19: Government loan schemes open
Insurance Age's editor, Siân Barton, and news editor, Ida Axling, chat about the top five news stories of the week, including Aviva's 2019 financial results and the coronavirus. Top five news stories for the week commencing 2 March 2020: 1. Ardonagh buys Rural Insurance Group 2. Biba takes action on FCA coronavirus warning 3. Mactavish calls for radical reform of the UK insurance industry 4. Government urged to reconsider IPT ahead of budget 5. Aviva UKGI profit falls by 35%
Insurance Age's commissioning editor, Laurence Eastham, and news editor, Ida Axling, discuss the top five news stories of the week, including redundancies at Direct Line and Allianz's financial results.
Top five news stories for the week commencing 24 February 2020:
- FCA removes Triton Insurance Brokers' right to conduct regulated business
- Direct Line’s Ipswich office to close amid redundancy plan
- FCA admits "mistake" after it accidentally shared private complainant data
- Allianz UK COR deteriorates to 97.8%
- Allianz committed to "under-performing" commercial property business
The team take a closer look at the most read news stories of the week commencing 17 February 2020.
Top five news stories for the week: 1) Ardonagh signs on from to buy Bennetts from Saga 2) FCA sounds alarm over Brexit, misconduct and data usage 3) Bollington cuts ties with Gefion 4) Watson blames Ageas profit fall on motor book 5) Bennetts deal to cost Ardonagh £26m
News editor Ida Axling and editor Siân Barton take a closer look at the most read news stories of the week commencing 10 February 2020.
Top five news stories for the week: 1. Major insurers respond to Staveley Head collapse 2. In Person: Amanda Blanc 3. Gallagher reshuffles UK specialty and Pen Underwriting leadership teams 4. Pen reveals further management changes 5. In Depth: Commercial – the property pressure cooker
News editor Ida Axling and commissioning editor Laurence Eastham take a closer look at the most read news stories of the week commencing 31 January 2020, including changes at Marsh Commercial and Hiscox moving 300 staff out of London.
Top five news stories for the week: 1. Three become one as Marsh Commercial restructures networks business 2. Les Brewin to exit Marsh-owned Purple 3. Ardonagh eyes international growth 4. Hiscox commits to regions and moves 300 staff out of London 5. Gefion's solvency falls again after order from Danish regulator
Commissioning editor Laurence Eastham and editor Siân Barton consider the top stories from the first full week back in the office in 2020 focusing on Gefion and the recent spate of run-off announcements. The top stories in the week commencing 6 January 2020 are: 1) Neon Underwriting placed into run-off 2) Amanda Blanc’s latest role announced 3) GRPs £68m 2019 spend revealed 4) FCA warns insurance managers to tackle misconduct 5) Gefion meets end of last year’s 5m euro liquidity deadline
Siân Barton and Laurence Eastham discuss the week's most popular news stories, including the return of Amanda Blanc and the launch of Cuvva's new motor product. The top five news stories for the week: 1) Amanda Blanc returns to UK insurance as Aviva NED 2) News analysis: Will Marsh’s new model pay off? 3) Marsh Commercial to cut 14 branches 4) Amanda Blanc’s second NED role revealed 5) Cuvva’s pay-monthly product aims to cut out brokers and aggregators
Editor Siân Barton and news editor Ida Axling take a closer look at the most attention-grabbing news stories of the week commencing 25 November 2019.
The top five news stories for the week: 1) UK-wide redundancies underway at RSA 2) Marsh Commercial to move small business to five centres 3) Marsh Commercial argues small business centres will succeed 4) MS Amlin restructures and reveals leadership changes 5) Markerstudy promises to meet deadline as multi-million loan payment looms
Editor Siân Barton and news editor Ida Axling take a look at the stories making headlines in the week commencing 28 October 2019. The top five news stories for the week: 1. Market “appalled” by revelations made during Gallagher/Ardonagh staff poaching trial 2. Judge slams insulting religious references in Gallagher and Ardonagh case 3. Ageas restructures broker distribution ahead of Chris Dobson exit 4. Ardonagh staff poaching claims dismissed in court 5. News analysis: Broker and MGA concerns mount over MS Amlin pullout
Editor Siân Barton and commissioning editor Laurence Eastham look at the stories that caused a stir in the week commencing 16 September 2019. The top five stories of the week were: 1. Hobbs reveals Allianz’s £35m debut at Lloyd’s 2. UK Broker Awards: Winners revealed 3. Samways retires after decade at Miles Smith 4. One Call’s Radford launches motor broker 5. Lloyd's reveals soaring profit for H1 2019
Editor Sian Barton and commissioning editor Laurence Eastham look at the stories that caused a stir in the fortnight commenting 26 August 2019. The top stories were: 1) Swinton closures don’t tell full story, says Donaldson 2) FCA warns of Close Brothers clone 3) Finch buys Bridle Insurance in biggest deal yet 4) GRP exploring sale and reinvestment options 5) Fujitsu sets sights on disrupting insurance
News editor Ida Axling and commissioning editor Laurence Eastham look at the stories that caused a stir in the week commenting 19 August 2019. The week's top story covered the Financial Services Compensation Scheme's decision to compensate around 14,000 policyholders at bankrupt Danish company Alpha Insurance, following the collapse of a proposed deal with BCR Legal Group earlier in the month. The top stories were: 1) FSCS set to compensate Alpha Insurance latent defect insurance policyholders 2) Ardonagh confirms the end of all Swinton retail branches 3) Ardonagh losses rise to £44.5m in H1 2019 4) Zurich cuts scheme contract with Fleet UK 5) Brightside hires new MD of broking as Russell Bence exits
Editor Sian Barton and news editor Ida Axling look at the stories that caused a stir on the week commenting 5 August 2019. The top stories were: 1) Former AIG claims handler jailed for £390,000 fraud 2) Ghostbroker sentenced for 18 counts of fraud 3) Brolly CEO announces product that counters “absurd dual pricing” 4) Bennett Christmas becomes Ethos Broking’s ninth regional powerhouse 5) Aviva pledges no market exits
Editor Siân Barton and commissioning editor Laurence Eastham discuss the top stories for the week commencing 22 July. The top stories were: 1. Ex-Ardonagh deputy CEO Deakin: I need a break from big deals 2. NED salaries in the insurance sector revealed 3. CEO for Cobra Network revealed 4. XL Catlin v Orbit Underwriting case settled 5. MOJ defends discount rate decision
Content director, Jonathan Swift, and editor, Siân Barton weigh-in on Ogden, clones and the discount rate as they examine the top stories for the week commending 15 July 2019. The top stories were: 1) Government reveals recalculated Ogden Rate 2) Construction firm unable to find insurance due to lack of capacity 3) Insurers disappointed by new discount rate 4) FCA warns of MoneySuperMarket clone 5) Documents reveal Government Actuary recommended a 0.25% discount rate
News editor, Ida Axling, and editor, Siân Barton, dissect the most read stories for the week commencing 17 June 2019. The top stories are: 1) GRP owned Sagars buys Thomas Cook 2) Tokio Marine Kiln Insurance goes into run-off 3) Three directors out as Policy Expert buys loss-making Sure Thing! 4) PIB’s £50m spending on brokers in 2018 revealed 5) Hiscox creates cyber exposure calculator
Join Insurance Age editor, Siân Barton, news editor, Ida Axling, and new commissioning editor, Laurence Eastham as they talk about the news that got brokers interested over the past five days.
Insurance Age's top five stories for the week starting 3 June 2019: 1) Boris Johnson Biba pay revealed 2) PIB buys Cobra 3) Government launches IPT review 4) Aviva to cut 1,800 jobs over three years 5) Aviva CFO steps down ahead of rumoured reorganisation
Insurance Age editor Siân Barton and reporter Aara Syed discuss the most popular stories on Insurance Age this week. Insurance Age's top five stories for the week starting 6 May 2019: 1) Gallagher and Ardonagh return to court as closing statements begin 2) Aston Lark closing in on new investment 3) Mark Cliff exits Brightside 4) Broking Success: Kevin Nicol, managing director of GS Group 5) RSA develops five industry practices within Global Risk Solutions
In Insurance Age's new reporter Aara Syed's first podcast she shares her first impressions of the insurance industry, while news editor Ida Axling talks about broker criticism of RSA. Insurance Age's top five stories for the week starting 22 April 2019: 1) RSA boss Egan "not defensive" about broker criticism 2) Andy Briggs to leave Aviva 3) Qudos replacement policies reignite unrated debate 4) Hiscox report shows cyber-attacks are on the up 5) Slow take-up of standardised Toba template was expected, says Biba
Insurance Age's news editor Ida Axling and editor Siân Barton address the latest FCA warning to GI firms and learn more about Jelf’s newly appointed CEO. Insurance Age's top five stories for the week starting Monday 8 April 2019: 1) Incoming Jelf CEO will have to “work hard to gain trust” 2) Aston lark buys Jobson James Insurance Brokers 3) FCA warns firms to take action on GI distribution failings 4) Ardonagh losses shrink at first full year results 5) Brokers and FSCS step in for Qudos customers following unrated insurer’s collapse
Editor Siân Barton and and news editor Ida Axling share their thoughts on what Aon's next move might be after it decided not to pursue a merger with Willis Towers Watson and Saga's new renewal pricing strategy. Insurance Age's top five stories for the week commencing 1 April 2019: 1) News analysis: What next at Aon? 2) Premiership Rugby stands by sponsor Gallagher after racism allegations 3) Marsh owner completes JLT buy 4) Saga falls to £134.6m pre-tax loss and pledges to change strategy amid renewal pricing row 5) Cyber row continues as ABI responds to Mactavish
The podcast returns. News editor Ida Axling and editor Siân Barton consider the cyber row sparking in the market and sexism and sexual harassment in Lloyd's in our weekly discussion.
Insurance Age's top five stories for the week commencing 18 March 2019: 1) Simon Matson says ‘complicated fat Arab’ slur regrettable but not discriminatory: Gallagher v Ardonagh 2) Mactavish lays down the gauntlet on cyber 3) Marsh reveals plan to raise €1.1bn 4) Ageas redundancies confirmed 5) Industry responds to reports of sexual harassment in Lloyd's
Jon Walker, executive MD, commercial at Axa, Insurance Age editor Siân Barton, and news editor Ida Axling discuss this week’s top five articles and talk about how insurer consolidation is affecting the industry plus the opportunities for brokers that could arise from Brexit. The top five stories for the week commencing 11 February were: 1. Up to 275 jobs at risk at Axa XL in the UK 2. Brokers Brexit worries are growing, says Aviva 3. Ghost broker jailed for two years 4. Ex-Howden director Karen Allen leaves SSL Endeavour 5. Legal Protection Group confirms loss of Inter Hannover capacity
Emmanuel Kenning and Ida Axling give their thoughts on this week's biggest stories. Insurance Age's reporter and news editor analyse the facts and market reaction to the UK CEO change at RSA and Biba announcing Boris Johnson as a keynote speaker at its 2019 conference in Manchester this May.
Insurance Age's top five stories for the week commencing 4 February 2019: 1) Steve Lewis exits RSA UK & International CEO role 2) LV puts 140 people at risk of redundancy 3) GRP buys Peter Cullum-owned Trimulgherry 4) Brokers confused about RSA's strategy after CEO change 5) Biba books Boris for 2019 conference
Insurance Age's news editor Ida Axling and reporter Emmanuel Kenning discuss a court case involving an uninsured driver and on-demand cover, Axa and Allianz using Artificial Intelligence and the cyber insurance market. Insurance Age's top five stories for the week commencing 28 January 2019: 1) Court case highlights abuse of on-demand motor apps 2) Allianz head of commercial motor Jon Dye leaves for QBE 3) FSCS to hit brokers with extra levy bill next month, warns Biba 4) Cyber experts dispute Mactavish report 5) Insurers make Artificial Intelligence moves
Jonathan Swift, content director, and Siân Barton, editor examine the most read stories and dig in to the issues they raise for the insurance market in the latest weekly podcast. Insurance Age's top five stories for the week commencing 21 January 2019: 1) Leaked document reveals detail of Ageas redundancy risk 2) Ageas consults on closure of Stoke-on-Trent and Port Solent operations 3) Markerstudy buys Co-op Underwriting in £185m deal 4) Markerstudy to use Co-op’s brand after deal 5) Ageas and Vauxhall partnership deal ends
Insurance Age's reporter and editor, Emmanuel Kenning and Siân Barton, discuss what brokers have reading about in a week full of political twists and turns. Aviva's mid-market push comes under the microscope along with Brexit. The duo look at the new offering from Aviva and debate how brokers will navigate their way through the current turmoil in Parliament. Top stories for the week commencing 14 January 2019: 1) Aviva grows mid-market appetite 2) MRIB buys Independents 3) Ex-Enterprise non-exec chairman Nick Cruz sues Gibraltar regulator for libel 4) Unauthorised broker targets customers on Instagram 5) Biba warns of 'uncharted waters' as Theresa May's Brexit deal is rejected
Insurance Age's news editor Ida Axling joins reporter Emmanuel Kenning to look at the most read stories by brokers at the start of the new year. The pair cast their eyes over Gallagher buying Stackhouse Poland and Jelf transfering personal lines business to A-Plan. Top stories for the week commencing 7 January 2019: 1) Gallagher buys Stackhouse Poland 2) Stackhouse boss lifts the lid on Gallagher deal 3) Jelf transfers personal lines business to A-Plan 4) Be Wiser slams unrated insurers as it posts loss for 2018 5) Marsh owners reveal $5bn debt plans for JLT deal
Insurance Age's editor Siân Barton and news editor Ida Axling explore the top five most read stories over the last working week. Top five stories in the week commencing 26 November 2018: 1) Unrated Danish insurer goes into liquidation 2) Zurich takes David Martin from Allianz 3) AmTrust pulls out of UK liability market 4) Majority of brokers suffer from work-related stress 5) RSA appoints leader for troubled specialty and wholesale business
Insurance Age's news editor Ida Axling and reporter Emmanuel Kenning look at growth in the market and Touchstone's expansion plans, Aviva buying more of Neos, as well as Gallagher's Vivek Banga moving to Polaris. Top stories for week commencing 19 November 2018: 1) Touchstone recruits four business development managers in regional broker drive 2) InsurTech Futures: Aviva takes majority stake in Neos 3) Folgate teams up with MS Amlin for 2019 4) Vivek Banga to leave Gallagher for Polaris 5) Motor insurance pay-outs soar to record levels
Emmanuel Kenning, reporter on Insurance Age, hosts this week's show featuring content director Jonathan Swift. The pair discuss the management structure of Marsh-JLT Specialty, cuts at RSA, Aviva's renewal transparency failing and Brexit. Top stories for week commencing 12 November 2018: 1) Marsh unveils Marsh-JLT Specialty plans 2) CBL Insurance placed into liquidation 3) Up to 50 jobs at risk amid RSA specialty and wholesale restructure 4) Aviva writing to customers after renewal transparency failing 5) Brexit deals does not work for brokers, says Biba
Insurance Age's editor, Siân Barton, and news editor, Ida Axling, discuss the most attention-grabbing articles of the week. The team chat about the most popular stories of this week including potential deals and fines as well as "poor" cyber products.
Top stories for the week commencing 5 November 2018: 1) At the crossroads: Changes at RSA, Aviva and Ageas add to market uncertainty 2) Markerstudy tipped as Co-op Insurance buyer 3) ICO to fine Eldon Insurance £60,000 4) Gallagher buys majority stake in Vasek Insurance Services 5) Simply Business CEO slams “poor” cyber products
Insurance Age's editor, Siân Barton, and reporter, Emmanuel Kenning, give their views on the week's big stories as they cover the five most clicked on articles by brokers. Top stories for the week commencing 29 October 2018: 1) Liberty responds to being hit by £5.3m FCA fine 2) FCA boss’ CEO letter warns of failures, dual pricing and risk of discrimination 3) Reich makes first buy for years with LJM Insurance Brokers deal 4) FCA points to “remarkable” insurer failings as it launches “fundamental” market review 5) Ardonagh raising $225m debt for deals
Ida Axling and Emmanuel Kenning discuss Simon Cooter's decision to leave Covéa in 2019 and FCA warnings on clone brokers. Insurance Age's news editor and reporter give their views on the week's big stories as they cover the five most clicked on articles by brokers.
Top stories for the week commencing 22 October 2018: 1) Divisive whiplash and Ogden Bill passes through Commons 2) Covéa boss Simon Cooter to leave in 2019 3) FCA warns on clone of Ellis David Insurance Brokers 4) Vantage owner, NSM, buys UK motor MGA 5) LV signals expanded appetite with four more partnerships
The unrated insurer debate, technology and consolidation all come under the microscope. Ida Axling, news editor on Insurance Age teams up with reporter Emmanuel Kenning and Certus Communications' director Ben Welsh to analyse the most clicked on stories of the week by brokers.
The top five stories of week commencing 15 October: 1) Opinion: Who would believe it? When unrated is “good” 2) Gallagher buys Portmore Insurance Brokers 3) Ardonagh sells Direct Group’s claims business for £36m 4) Applied Net 2018: Google takes minority stake in Applied 5) Ingenie founder Richard King unveils new telematics insurer backed by Gary Lineker
Jonathan Swift, content director, and Siân Barton, editor of Insurance Age, discuss PIB’s recent results and acquisition costs and delve in to the developing story around RSA’s warning of a Q3 £70m underwriting loss. Top stories for the week commencing 1 October 2018: 1) PIB’s purchase prices revealed 2) RSA not scared to walk away from business – Stephen Hester 3) Swinton reveals £32m loss for 2017 4) Blog: Covea says goodbye to Swinton 5) Brokers question RSA’s future after losses
Ida Axling and Emmanuel Kenning share their thoughts on Ardonagh's £165m swoop for Swinton. The top five stories this week: 1) Ardonagh buys Swinton for £165m 2) Ardonagh pledges to keep the Swinton brand 3) Aston Lark buys Pharos Insurance Brokers 4) UK Broker Summit: All Brexit options worse than staying in - David Smith 5) More than a quarter of brokers still unaware of IDD as October deadline looms
Emmanuel Kenning, reporter on Insurance Age sat down with Sarah Mallaby, director of broker markets at Allianz and Jonathan Swift, director of content at Insurance Age to delve into the stories clicked on by brokers. The five stories discussed from the week commencing 17 September 2018: 1)Marsh & McLennan buys JLT in $5.6bn deal 2) Premium Credit explains taking system offline 3) Ex broker jailed for £140,000 fraud 4) Gallagher and Ardonagh in legal dispute 5) FCA warns on clone of Direct Line’s UK Insurance
Phil Bayles, managing director of intermediaries at Aviva, meets up with Insurance Age reporter Emmanuel Kenning and news editor Ida Axling to discuss the themes behind the biggest stories of the week including chartered status, InsurTech and consolidation. The top five stories in the week commencing 3 September 2018: 1) News analysis: Chartered status: Is it worth it? 2) InsurTech Futures: Lloyd's Lab launches with first cohort 3) MUM sells MGB Insurance Brokers to Trireme 4) Broker Network snaps up Lockyers 5) Ardonagh silent on partial sale of Direct Group to Davies report
Simon Cooter, commercial lines and HNW director at Covéa joins with Insurance Age’s news editor Ida Axling and reporter Emmanuel Kenning to give his insights and opinions on the most clicked on stories of the week. Cooter shares his thoughts on fraud, consolidation and InsurTech stories. The top five stories in week commencing 27 August 2018: 1) Insurance employee jailed for £129,000 fraud 2) Private equity Apollo lands Aspen for $2.6bn in cash 3) PIB-owned Citynet buys Wrightsure book 4) Claims management possible Amazon target 5) THB expands UK wholesale broking operation
Editor Siân Barton sits down with head of personal lines at LV Broker, Michael Lawrence, to talk about the top five articles this week. He weighs in on issues such as MGAs, commission and takes a look at Ardonagh’s most recent set of results. Top five stories in the week commencing 20 August 2018: 1) Aviva denies being on big crusade on broker commissions 2) Broker Network spending spree prices revealed 3) Simply Business reveals losses for 2017 4) Ardonagh losses fall to £32.8m 5) CII targeting December 2018 for Chartered MGA status
Insurance Age's editor Siân Barton and news editor Ida Axling share their views on the most clicked on stories by brokers in the latest episode of our regular podcast. Top five stories in the week commencing 13 August 2018: 1) Alpha collapse: FSCS transfers 177,000 GAP policies 2) Broker Network buys North West broker 3) Direct Line names new NIG MD 4) Bain Capital to buy Esure for £1.2bn 5) CII questions future of Chartered proposition
Insurance Age's editor Siân Barton and news editor Ida Axling share their views on the most popular stories of the week in the latest episode of our regular podcast.
Top five stories in the week commencing 6 August 2018: 1) Saffron hit by £2.6m lawsuit – report 2) Allianz Insurance takes first step into Lloyd’s 3) Ghost brokers in dock after Esure and police uncover racket 4) CII begins investigation into Paul Asplin after fraud conviction 5) Former LV boss Phil Bunker joins the AA
Insurance Age’s reporter Emmanuel Kenning and content director Jonathan Swift tackle the facts behind the headlines in the latest of our regular podcast series. Top five stories in the week commencing 30 July 2018: 1) Jelf bought Clark Thomson for £23.3m cash 2) Co-op Insurance for sale – reports 3) ICB Group joins Verlingue 4) GRP takes majority stake in Chesterfield-based DCJ 5) FCA’s GDPR bill to hit almost £4m
Insurance Age editor Siân Barton and reporter Emmanuel Kenning take a look at the most clicked on stories on the website for the week commencing 23 July 2018 and share their views.
Use the link to hear their views and analysis.
And update yourself on the top five most read stories from the last week.
1) Mark Cliff out as CEO at Brightside 2) GRP’s County Group buys Guardian in “first of many” deals 3) Former Axa claims handler jailed for fraud 4) MIB to handle vehicle-related terrorism claims 5) Brokers urged to push on with SM&CR preparations
Insurance Age's content director Jonathan Swift and news editor Ida Axling talk about fraudsters, Tobas and whiplash reforms.
Top five stories in the week commencing 16 July 2018: 1) Das v Asplin: Guilty three sentenced to 15 years 2) CII investigating disciplinary action for Paul Asplin after conviction 3) Resisting Toba change would be "lunacy" - Tim Ryan 4) Former Axa claims handler jailed for fraud 5) Whiplash reforms delayed until 2020
Senior reporter Ida Axling and reporter Emmanuel Kenning talk about job cuts at Covéa, Axa selling a healthcare broker to the Ardonagh owners, InsurTech and the World Cup. Top five stories in the week commencing 11 June 2018: 1) Covéa consults on job cuts 2) Independent brokers praise Aviva stance in GRP split 3) Lloyd’s predicts France will win the World Cup 4) Ardonagh-owners Highbridge and MDP buy healthcare broker from Axa 5) InsurTech Futures: Lloyd's launches innovation sandbox
Insurance Age editor Siân Barton and reporter Emmanuel Kenning analyse the increasing noise around the Swinton sale and the latest developments in the split between Aviva and GRP. Top five stories in the week commencing 4 June 2018: 1 ) Swinton sale: Ardonagh in the mix and Markerstudy interested 2) Ex-Aviva employee jailed for 22 months after £90,000 fraud 3) Private equity most likely buyer in Swinton sale 4) Higos expands partnership with Allianz after Aviva split 5) Insurers reveal their focus after Aviva and GRP breakup
Insurance Age's content editor Jonathan Swift and senior reporter Ida Axling take a look at the most clicked on stories on the website for the week . Top five stories in the week commencing 21 May 2018: 1) Aviva pulls agency with GRP 2) Amazon "working with" UK brokers and insurers 3) Vantage buys Fresh Insurance 4) Ardonagh posts £14.1m loss for Q1 2018 5) InsurTech Futures: Hiscox first insurer to sign up to ex-Aviva boss Fraser Edmond’s data sharing platform
Insurance Age's editor Siân Barton and reporter Emmanuel Kenning share their thoughts on Biba 2018 and a strong week for puns in headlines. Top five stories in the week commencing 14 May 2018: 1) Ex-broker jailed for ghost broking and fraud 2) Marshmallow toasts Marsh in dispute over name 3) Coversure management completes MBO 4) Peter Cullum rolls with Oasis deal 5) Brightside in multi-million pound six-year deal with Close Brothers Premium Finance
Insurance age content editor Jonathan Swift and editor Siân Barton discuss the week’s top stories, from the fallout from another unrated insurer going under, to Gallagher returning to M&A and Chubb creating new broker teams. The top stories this week are: 1) Unrated Alpha - policies no longer in force amid bankruptcy 2) Carrot moves another 9,000 clients to Aviva after Alpha collapse 3) Chubb creates six new independent broker teams across UK and Ireland 4) Alpha collapse causes “massive upheaval” with taxi to the fore 5) Gallagher’s Risk Services deal first in strong pipeline
Insurance Age’s reporter Emmanuel Kenning share his thoughts on Zurich's latest restructure while senior reporter Ida Axling reveals what it was like interviewing Rob Worrell. Top five stories in the week commencing 30 April 2018: 1) Profile of Rob Worrell, CEO of insurance broking at Ardonagh Group 2) No redundancy target amid Zurich’s major underwriting restructure 3) Ian McManus leaves Aon 4) Ex-Sterling owner Nicholas Cooper launches HNW renovation MGA 5) News analysis: Amanda Blanc an “unbelievable gain for Zurich”
Insurance Age’s senior reporter Ida Axling and reporter Emmanuel Kenning discuss the Insurance Age Hack Day, Ardonagh picking up selected renewal rights from Ageas Retail and training in the broking market. Top five stories in the week commencing 23 April 2018: 1) Ardonagh picks up selected renewal rights from Ageas Retail in £7m deal 2) Close Brothers and other creditors to lose out following collapse of Ignition Select 3) Stackhouse Poland buys Honour Point 4) Eldon Insurance states none of its data was used by Leave.eu campaign 5) Is the talent pool drying up?
Insurance Age's editor Siân Barton and reporter Emmanuel Kenning look behind the numbers in Ardonagh Group's 2017 results and Konseilo's successful £2.7m funding round. Top five stories in the week commencing 16 April 2018: 1) Towergate owners post £261m loss for 2017 2) Ex-Das CEO Paul Asplin stands trial for fraud 3) Insurtech start-up Konsileo secures £2.7m in funding 4) SSP confirms system disruption in texts to brokers 5) Ex-AA boss Bob Mackenzie seeking up to £225m in damages
Amanda Blanc's Axa exit continued to dominate the headlines but there was room for Jelf, the FCA, SSP and Gable. Insurance Age's editor Siân Barton and senior reporter Ida Axling take a quick flight over this week's most popular articles
The top five stories - week commencing 9 April 2018: 1) Amanda Blanc a "big loss to Axa and unbelievable gain for Zurich" 2) Jelf to buy Clark Thomson 3) Howden and Barbican pursued following Gable collapse 4) FCA to look at dual pricing 5) SSP confirms 5.5% price increase
After an action packed week of news Insurance Age's senior reporter Ida Axling and reporter Emmanuel kenning discuss the FCA hitting out on renewal premium transparency and Amanda Blanc's move from Axa to Zurich.
Top five stories in week commencing 2 April 2018: 1) FCA goes on the attack against "unacceptable" renewal failings 2) Amanda Blanc leaves Axa for Zurich 3) PIB Group buys Wilby 4) Amanda Blanc “a big loss to Axa and unbelievable gain for Zurich” 5) Gallagher poised to replace Aviva as Premiership Rugby title sponsor
Insurance Age's senior reporter Ida Axling and editor Emmanuel Kenning discuss the government's plans for the Ogden rate, insurer reaction and lawyers hitting out. Lloyd's £2bn loss also comes under the spotlight. Top five stories week commencing 19 March 2018 1) Insurance industry welcomes Ogden rate reform 2) Lloyd’s slumps to £2bn loss for 2017 3) Pen Underwriting makes 11 redundant at Chelmsford office 4) Broker Network buys Knighthood Corporate Assurance Services 5) Claimant lawyers hit out at government’s discount rate reform
There’s a new voice in the Insurance Age podcast booth this week with content director Jonathan Swift making his debut. Along with editor Emmanuel Kenning he looks at consolidation in the broking market and the key themes from an interview with Aviva’s Phil Bayles. Top five stories - week commencing 12 March 2018: 1) Saffron buys again with Continuum 2) Aston Lark buys Ingram Hawkins and Nock 3) Aviva targets medium sized SMEs 4) NMU Letchworth office axed in regional restructure 5) Biba wants Senior Managers regime date for brokers as soon as possible
Insurance Age editor Emmanuel Kenning and deputy editor Siân Barton take a look at the most clicked on stories on the website for the week commencing 26 February 2018 and share their thoughts in the weekly podcast. Top 5 soties for the week commencing 26 February: 1) PIB Group buys Lorica 2) Towergate and Broker Network owners HPS and MDP buy Compass 3) Provisional administrator appointed to CBL Insurance Europe 4) Axa partners with Brolly on car insurance 5) No "for sale" sign up at Clear, says Howard Lickens
In the latest episode of our podcast series Insurance Age’s editor Emmanuel Kenning and senior reporter Ida Axling dive in to take a deeper look at the issues behind the headlines of the most clicked on stories by brokers this week. Top five stories - week commencing 19 February 2018: 1) Majority of brokers say GDPR will have negative impact 2) CBL Insurance Europe ordered to stop writing new business immediately 3) Steve Lewis confident RSA UK will "bounce back" in 2018 4) ICO court case against Hiscox collapses 5) Cyber hacks reported to FCA by financial firms hit 69 in 2017
In the latest episode of our podcast series Insurance Age’s deputy editor Siân Barton and senior reporter Ida Axling dive in to take a deeper look at the issues behind the headlines of the most clicked on stories by brokers this week.
Top five stories - week commencing 12 February 2018: 1) Lloyd's and Kanye West settle £7.4m suite - reports 2) European Council approves IDD delays 3) Blog: Start-ups headed by ex-AIG and Axa directors prove InsurTech appeal is far from waning 4) BBC’s terrorism insurance spend nudges up in 2017 5) Tempcover to offer short term home cover
Editor Emmanuel Kenning and deputy editor Siân Barton discuss the key points from the week's news. Top five stories - week commencing 5 February 2018: 1) Brokers "resigned" as more SSP problems hit users 2) One Call reveals new brand 3) InsurTech Futures: Start-up Zoe looks to replace brokers with AI 4) Allianz looks at buying XL Group - report 5) Ghost broking costs revealed in new police campaign
In the fourth episode of our podcast series Insurance Age's senior reporter Ida Axling and deputy editor Siân Barton dive in to take a deeper look at the issues behind the headlines of the most clicked on stories by brokers this week.
Top five stories - week commencing 29 January 2018: 1) Up to 400 redundancies from LV/Allianz deal 2) Brokers urged to take action on client money handling 3) FSB affinity scheme moves from Towergate after 20 years 4) InsurTech Futures: Former Aviva director Fraser Edmond sets up broker data sharing platform 5) Optimism plummets among brokers
In the latest episode of our new series Insurance Age's senior reporter Ida Axling and editor Emmanuel Kenning cast their eyes over the top stories of the week.
Top five stories - week commencing 22 January: 1) £500,000 Gallagher fraudster jailed for 34 months 2) Pen confirms redundancy threat at Chelmsford 3) RSA's Commercial Risk Solutions MD James Gearey exits after just six months 4) ABI: Carillion collapse to cost trade credit insurers £31m 5) Ardonagh sells remaining Broker Network stake in £30m deal
In the second episode of the new series the deputy editor and editor find two key themes in the most read stories by brokers this week. Top five stories - week commencing 15 January: 1) GRP strikes its biggest deal buying County Group 2) Moving away from brokers would be a “major dereliction of duty”, says Phil Bayles 3) Marsh accused of trying to squash Marshmallow name by InsurTech start up 4) Towergate sued by founder Peter Cullum 5) Broker Network buys Saffron Insurance
In a new Insurance Age podcast the editor and deputy editor share their thoughts on the stories most read by brokers in the past week. Top five stories - week commencing 8 January: 1) Brendan McCafferty out in Axa restructure 2) Ex-AA executive chairman Bob Mackenzie takes company to employment tribunal 3) FCA fines totalled £229.5m in 2017 4) JLT Specialty appoints Lucy Clarke as Global CEO 5) CII's Sian Fisher tackles online criticism